Sunday, August 31, 2008

In my red high heels

It’s a favorite thing. To play with my shoes. Any of them. He'll either bring them to me to put on, or put them on himself. And surprisingly, he usually puts them on the right foot too. Little smarty pants.



Saturday, August 30, 2008

New this week

Well, he is learning to use a fork and a spoon to feed himself. Of course, this is what he usually looks like
when he's done, but he's gotta learn somehow right.

He has learnt to build his own tower with blocks. We've gone as high as 6.

Fitting in with Cadens new favorite thing, his new word is shoes, which he either says as booze or pooze
He also says yes. Glad that word came before no.

Some favorites

I just love these pics. Hope you will too.






Wednesday, August 27, 2008

I'll be back

Sorry guys, I no longer have internet at home. I'll try and post something on the weekend.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Its through

Molar #4 came through yesterday. Finally. Now he's workin on the eye teeth. Oh Joy!!!

I see....

So today I took Caden to his very first eye appointment in Morden. He did so well. He let the doctor do everything that he needed to do. Now for the question ‘why do I take him to the eye doctor at 15 months? Let me explain.

Rob has some pretty serious eye problems. He was born blind, and was blind for the first 3 years of his life. He then got his sight. However, with problems. He has cataracs, astigmatism, and amblyopia. His eyes are constantly moving back and forth. He only got his drivers when he was 23 years old because until then, he wasn't able to see well enough to drive. The drivers came with a hitch though. He had to go back every year and get tested, to make sure he was able to keep his drivers. See, they told him when he was young, that by the time he was 25, he would likely be blind again. Good news is, after 8 years of getting tested every year, they sent a letter saying he no longer has to get tested. What a relief. Not only cause it means Rob's eyes have stabalized, but the testing costs $150.00 every time. So Caden was not supposed to get any of these problems, cause they are carried through girls. (which means if we have a girl, she'll carry it to her sons) But I just figured better to check it now and be able to fix it if something is wrong.

Secondly, my Dad is color blind, and so was my great Grandpa. Color blindness is carried through girls so therefore, I carry it on to my boys. Bring in Caden. Most likely he will have some form of color blindness. My Great Grandpa could only see in black and white. My Dad isn't nearly that bad. He mixes up certain shades of brown and green. Yellow and brown. Etc. you get the idea. So hopefully if Caden is color blind, its only very minor.

So, because of all this, I took Caden to get his eyes tested. Obviously they can't test for the color blindness; they say that can only happen around grade 1. But after the test, they said his eyes are perfectly normal. Exactly where he should be. He is slightly far sighted, but the doctor said that was ideal. Whatever that means.

Anyway, thats the reason we went today.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

A husbandless weekend!

I gotta admit, I am so excited for this weekend. Rob is gone from Friday till Monday on a fishing trip with my Dad, brother and Grandpa. This means that I can clean the house tomorrow, and its gonna stay that way until Monday. Thats the best part. I can also put the sheet on the bed, and its gonna stay on till Monday. Hmm, sounds great.
Don't get me wrong. I love my hubby. But sometimes its nice to have the house to myself. And I do have some good plans for the weekend.
Tomorrow Caden has an eye doctor appointment. (If you're wondering why I'd take my 15 month old child to the eye doctor, check back tomorrow for that post). Then if I can fix my vacuum cleaner, I'm gonna clean the house. I do have to go in to work for a few hours tomorrow afternoon as well. I plan on renting a bunch of movies, and spend the evening on the couch, with my homemade fresh salsa and chips and pepsi. I get to rent the girliest chick flicks I can find...Woo Hoo!!!
Saturday of course, is the Morden Corn and Apple parade. Hoping it'll be better than Winklers parade, although it really doesn't take much. I'm going with Tiff, so that'll be great fun.
In the afternoon, I'm getting together with my friend Jen and her son Andrew. Its always a great time getting together with them and as our sons get older, they learn to play together even better. They are only 4 weeks apart.
In the evening, is the annual Corn and Apple fire at Tiff and Garns house. I haven't been to or had a fire in awhile.
Sunday is the norm. Church in the morning and then hopefully a nap in the afternoon...lol. In the evening, my mom is comin over for a movie night. More chick flicks!!! YEAH!!!
Should be a great weekend!

Its funny

Okay, so following what Kalle did on her last post, I thought I'd add a joke as well.

A Saskatchewan woman was pulled over by the RCMP. When the officer came to her window she said,
'Hello officer, I bet you're here to sell me tickets to the Saskatchewan RCMP ball, right?!'.
The RCMP leans over and says, 'Lady, the Saskatchewan RCMP don't have balls'.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The search is over

I found a replacement babysitter for Caden. I feel so relieved now. Not that it was really a panic, but I just feel better to have found someone. Thank you to Jen who gave me her name and number. Susan lives on my way to work. I could literally chuck Caden out my car and into her backyard. She's is $10 cheaper than the sitter he goes to now, and she is going to provide lunch for him, which I now have to bring along. She also has a little girl who is 1 1/2 months older than Caden. Perfect. I just hope it all works out well. We've made plans to get together one afternoon next month, just so we can meet, and Caden can be at her house with me for a while. It'll be nice that its on my way to work, and I'll be saving $20 a week. That's quite a bit. I'm praying that he will like it at her house as much as he likes it at Teresas house.

Would you like to take a survey???

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8:22

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds-no question.

3. What was the first film you saw at the cinema? I think it was a 007 movie, at the old Morden Cimena.

4. What is your favorite TV show? Can't pick only one. CSI Vegas, One Tree Hill, House, Bones

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal

6. What is your middle name? Leigh Michelle

7. What food do you dislike? Parmesan Cheese

8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Rihana

9. What kind of car do you drive? Alero

10. Favorite sandwich? Bacon and Tomato

11. What characteristic do you dislike? Not being trustworthy

12. Favorite item of clothing? Good pair of jeans

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? I could go 2 ways with this one. Either backpacking Europe again, or to some tropical island like Fiji.

14. Favorite brand of clothing? I'm not a brand name girl. I buy whats on sale. Thats why I have sooooo many clothes

15. Where would you retire to? See # 13

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? Don't have one. My birthdays are usually pretty uneventful thanks to my husband who plans nothing.

17. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball


18. How many towns have you lived in? 1 town and 1 village

19. Do you make friends easily? yes

20. When is your birthday? December 17/83

21. Are you a morning person or a night person? A little of both I guess

22. What is your shoe size? 10

23. Pets? One cat-Fred

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I wish

25. What did you want to be when you were little? Teacher

26. How are you today? So far so good.

27. What is your favorite candy? Orange skittles

28. What is your favorite flower? Gerbra daisies

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Dec 25

30. What is your favorite pastime? hanging out with family and friends

31. What are you listening to right now? Satelite radio-right now, Jordin sparks-one step at a time

32. What was the last thing you ate? Cheerios

33. Do you wish on stars? I do not

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Probably blue

35. How is the weather right now? Clear and Hot


36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My Mom

37. Favorite soft drink? Pepsi

38. Favorite restaurant? Burger King or Hardees for fast food, Montanas or the Keg for sit down.

39. Real hair color? A gross mousy blonde

40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Probably my doll, Brenda

41. Summer or winter? Summer

42. Hugs or kisses? Hugs

43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

44. Coffee or tea? tea


45. Favorite day of the week? Friday

46. When was the last time you cried? Hmm, its been awhile. Probably a few weeks ago.

47. What is under your bed? Bunnies

48. What did you do last night? Went to a church baby shower


49. What are you afraid of? The dark. I know, I'm too old for that but I can't help it. Also, the man thats under my bed who wants to grab my legs if they hang over the bed.

50. Salty or sweet? Oooo, thats tough. Depends on my mood but probably mostly salty.

51. How many keys on your key ring? 1 key, but 5 key chains

52. How many years at your current job? just over 5

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I see you lurking

Well, a few weeks ago I asked for people to comment to let me know they are reading. Thank you to those who did. Lately I've been noticing via my feedjit, that I have readers in Toronto, Winnipeg, Arborg, even in Pennsylvania. I'd really like to know who you are. Please de-lurk yourselves. Really, I love finding new blogs to read. Maybe yours could be one of them. :-)

...because I'm cheap

I have never had professional pictures taken of Caden. My feelings are if I can take pictures myself, that I am happy with, why would I add the extra cost of someone else doing it. Plus, if I do it myself, I can do it when Caden is happy. I also make my picture cards myself. I was recently asked to do an 18 month card, and a birth announcement card for a girl in our church. She has her own ideas, so I'm gonna go over to her house to work something out. Well, her mentioning this got me in the card making mood. I've designed 8 cards in the last 2 days. Its really fun and I've come up with some really cool ones. I'm debating doing 15 month cards for Caden, although I likely won't cause I still really like his 1 year card. Yeah, maybe those people who get professionals to do their cards have better looking cards than me. But most likely you won't be able to tell the difference in a card I make, or one they make. Its where I'm able to use the little bit of creativity that I have.
With that said, if anyone needs cards made, let me know. I'd love to help you out.

Its ready

Oh i'm so excited. We ate fresh corn on the cob from the garden yesterday. I also picked 3 tomatoes, and dug up 9 potatoes from 1 plant. I love the time of year when everything is ready. Although my peas, spinach and lettuce are already done, these are the more exciting things. I can't wait to make fresh salsa with these tomatoes, and to can salsa once I have a few more. I love summer.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Private blogs

I don't get it. Isn't the purpose of a blog so people will read it? I get upset when I'm reading someones blog, and I want to link to a blog they read, and I can't cause its private. I don't want to ask permission to every body, just so I can read their blog once. A blog is meant for people to read. Which is why I have now added -private, after some names on my blog list so that people will know not to try and link to those blogs. I'd encourage others to do the same. Let us know so we don't waste our time trying. Its easy to add it after the name. Similar to Stacey, who has let us know that one of her blogs is a german blog. I'm not gonna spend time checking it cause I know I won't read it. Its helful.
Also, if someone has erased their blog, please erase their name off your blog list.

Thanks :-)

Developing

I didn't like digital cameras when they first came out and I refused to get one. Why? I knew that if I had one, I wouldn't develop pictures. With a film camera, you have no choice. If you want to see the pics, you have to develop them. I'd been doing pretty good until recently. Yesterday, I finally went through and editied pictures back from April. Yup, its August. I am 4 months behind. I did develop Cadens 1 year pictures and his birthday party, but nothing before or after that. So now, I have 152 pictures I need developed. I suppose the good side of this is that Wal-mart usually has a deal if you get more than 100 pics done. Its usually 0.14. However, it almost seems a waste to get them at this point cause who's gonna look at them.
Oh well, I'll do it anyway, cause there sure are some cute ones. I gotta make a mental note to be more consistant with that.
On the flip side, I do love my digital cause I can take 100's of pics and not worry, which I do. I average about 250 pics a month of pretty much just caden. Also, the chances of getting a good shot are very good cause I take so many. Just click over and over and over.
Anyway, off to Wal-mart and then grocery shopping. We have a potluck supper with our group of friends tonight. I'll try and get some pics posted of that next week.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Help wanted/No T.V

Caden goes to a baby sitter 2 times a week, on the days that I work. However, his babysitter is pregnant, and due for Oct. 8. She told me today that she will continue taking Caden until the end of September. Which means I will be needing someone new after that. Does anyone know anybody who runs a small in home daycare, or someone who has kids, and would want 1 more twice a week? I don't want someone with no kids and preferably kids close to Cadens age. Yeah, I know I'm picky, but I have it so good with Teresa. Her son Brayden is 1 1/2 months older than Caden. Those boys play so well together and have become good little buddies. If I'm having Caden in day care, I want him to interact with a few other kids his age.

I also do not allow Caden to watch t.v., which is uncommon apparently. I have been asked, by several different people, what cartoons Caden likes to watch. Seriously??? He's 1!!! He does not now, nor will he for years to come, watch t.v. Come on. He plays outside, and with toys, and with pots and pans and toilet paper rolls, and he looks at books...etc. Why would I stick him in front of a t.v.?? It's important to me that he has an imagination, and kids who watch t.v all the time, lack that.

Anyway, back to the day care. I'd appreciate any feedback for options. Its a difficult thing trying to find a babysitter for your child. Hopefully someone will know of a good place so I can feel comfortable leaving my boy.

Dollarama = Danger

Oh boy do I love this store. I can't wait for Caden to be older so that I can buy stickers, and paintable puzzles, and finger paints and coloring books etc. I've also seen mothers in with their kids after, for example, passing swimming lessons. The mother says, 'you can pick any 2 things you want'. Kid replies, 'Anything???'. Mom 'Anything!!'
Its gonna cost her 2 bucks, no matter what her kids pick. How awesome. And the kid is so excited to be able to pick from a whole store full of goodies. He doesn't know why, he doesn't care either. What a great reward to use for kids.
I went to Dollarama yesterday, to buy hair clips for my hair. Thats all. I should have left, having spent $1.12. But did I??? Oh no. I had spent $8.86. I bought batteries, a bbq lighter, a book for Caden, a mini megnadoodle for Caden, a bucket to stick on the wall in my bathtub for shampoo and stuff, and a nail file. Oh and of course the hair clips I came in for in the first place. I just can't help myself. Its that mennonite in me that comes out when I know something is only $1. Granted, I needed batteries and a lighter, but the other stuff were just extras. Good thing I don't go very often.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

New for this week

Caden can now point out his nose and eyes, on himself or on someone else. Add this to pulling up his shirt to show his tummy.
It we ask him, 'Caden what does a train do', he raises his arm beside him and pulls it down twice while we say 'woo woo'. (like a train)
Oh and he can say Hi, Hot, This, Bapa (grandpa) and makes the uh uh sound for no. (not sure I like that one ;-))So cute. Now, what else can I teach him. He learns things so fast. A little bag of tricks this boy is.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Pet Peeve #2

Dog crap, in my yard, when I don't have a dog. There's really not much more to say than that. The joys of living in the country, where certain people don't keep their dogs at home. What makes it especially gross is that they are huge dogs. I think you know what I mean. GRRRR!!!!!

Harvest Festival

My little engineer. He loves trains.
If only this slide were longer.
Caden made a little 'woo' sound after every little bump. Big smiles the whole way down
The horse and buggy. So much fun to ring the bells
The lady bugs. Like a mini roller coaster. He loved it.



Looking out from the ferris wheel. No fear of heights at all.
Admiring a chicken in the petting zoo
A tractor tricycle by the kids play area. He was so mad when I took him off.
Down the slide with Uncle Rick
My handsome man all by himself on the train


Mmm, curly fries with Grandpa
Sliding with Auntie Amy
Going down the slide with Grandpa. Looks like Grandpa is having just as much fun as Caden
The airplane was a huge hit. He loved being up high and having to look down at us

It was a great weekend. Very different with a one year old. But so much fun. Caden absolutely loved all of the rides. I think he went on more than 20 rides, and probably would have done more. I'm pretty sure I could have taken him on adult rides and he would have done fine. But I sure wouldn't have been. I unfortunately get sick on rides.

We did also take in the parade on Saturday morning. Very disappointing I must say. What happened to having floats in a parade. All we saw were people slapping their name onto a vehicle. Although, I have to say the candy was exceptional this year. We got alot.

Then there were the fire works Sunday night. Also left something to be desired. We did manage to keep Caden up till then, thanks to a late nap until 7:00. At first he was terrified, but then he was totally mesmerized by them. As far as I'm concerned, fire works are a waste of money. But if your gonna do them, do them good.

Anyway, thats just a little recap of our weekend. Enjoy the pics.

Friday, August 8, 2008

New toys

My Mom put an ad on pv online for toys. A lady called her. We went out on Tuesday to look at what she had. My mom bought tons of toys. Slides, trucks, a teeter totter and much more. Including this car. Caden loves it.
Lovin his new car
No big deal, just relaxing.
And this one I just thought was so cute, so I had to post it.

Kisses

Up until about 3 weeks ago, kisses were very hard to come by. Now we get one every time we ask for one. I love it. Yes, it does look like he is eating my face, but hey, I'll take it :-)

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Teeth and Talking

Alright, so molar #3 has now popped its way out. One more to go, and I'm pretty sure it might be soon. This poor boys gums are so super swollen. I wouldn't be surprised if the eye teeth were quick to follow. He's handled teething pretty well for the most part. Although I do look forward to him having all 16 teeth :-)
And we are learning new words. What can he say? Dad, Mom, Dog, Keys, Bye, Banana, Yes, and just today when I asked him if he wanted to visit Grandpa, he said 'bapa' a few times. There are a few other words, I just can't think of them. Its so cool how easily we can teach him new things. Tuesday he learnt to blow kisses. Yesterday I started teaching him how to be like a monkey. (tickling his underarms). He thought it was hilarious. If I ask him where his tummy is, he lifts up his shirt to show me. If I give him a wrapper from something, and tell him to go throw it in the garbage, he heads off to throw it away. Finally, my slave has arrived...hehe.
I did stop teaching him sign language. He has known 'more' since he was 8 months, and 'please' since he was a year. He also made up his own version of 'all done'. With both hands beside his head he waves his hands with palm up. So cute. But I figured since its time to start talking, I should stop with the signing.
Anyway, thats enough bragging for me today.

August Rush

I need a push. I have no desire to do anything. My garden has so much ready. I need to make pickles. I need to can beans. I need to finish weeding. And I don't want to. Until August, I love my garden. It seems as it comes nearer, I start slacking. I'd rather do anything than be outside in my garden. I get lazy. It sucks. July seemed to go by so fast because I was so busy every week and weekend. I don't want summer to end, and yet I'm excited for winter because it means I have no worries about outdoor stuff. Can you believe I'm saying that. I HATE winter. But I get like this every year. Ahhhh!!!
On a happier note. I am sooooo excited for the Harvest Festival this weekend. Its usually a highlight of my summer. I could spend all day every day there. I love seeing people that I only see at the festival each year. But this year especially, I'm excited to take Caden. To the parade, the petting zoo, and on rides. I can hardly wait for Saturday. I have a little bit of a predicament though. The parade starts at 10. Caden has his nap at 10. What to do, what to do. I may just have to wake him up early, so he naps early...lol. Can't believe I just said that, seeing as how he finally got out of his crazy getting up at 6am phase. But my mom is also in the parade with the fire department, and she wanted to take him with for a bit of the parade. Luckily the parade never starts on time.
Well, tomorrow I'm hoping to finally make it to the pool with C. I know he really wants to go...lol. We'll see how the weather turns out.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Eczema

When Caden was about 6 months old, he had a small (like the size of a finger nail) dry spot on his back. I was never really concerned. Then, at about 7 months, it disappeared from his back, and reappeared, as the same size and shape, on his leg. It was a few months with only that 1 small spot on his leg. Around 11 months, he began to get more and more spots. And much larger than the first one. They were dry, and red and looked painful. I was pretty consistant with putting lotion on him. I put baby oil in every bath.
At his 1 year appointment, I asked his doctor. "Yup", she said, "it's eczema". She prescribed hydro cortizone cream for him. For 2 weeks, I applied the cream, twice a day, like it said. Really no change in the appearance of his legs, and by now its spread to the crease where his hand and arm meet, and under his arms, and occasionally his tummy and back. I then also read the pamphlet that came with the cream. Its really not good stuff. Risk of all kinds of bad things, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN. So why would she prescribe this for me? I mean, I'm not one to be anti drugs and only natural and all that, and I realize all prescriptions carry a risk. But isn't there some other way? So I decided to try, for awhile, my Mary Kay extra emollient night cream. (I sell Mary Kay so I had it on hand). It seemed to be working okay. The redness went down.
About 1 1/2 weeks ago I made a decision to change a few more things with Caden. I bought scent/dye free detergent. Aveeno sensitive bodywash/shampoo and Aveeno milk baths. (those things are expensive) So far we've done 2 milk baths, and I only today washed all his clothes, blankets, bedding and towels in the new detergent. We'll see how this works.
If anyone has any other ideas of things that I can do to get rid of this blasted eczema, please share.
Oh and I should mention, Caden has not been affected by it AT ALL!! Thankfully. He really doesn't notice it. I've never once seen him scratch or itch his legs. So I suppose that is one good thing. I know it could be alot worse.
(I will try to remember to post a pic next week when I'm at work. I can't do it at home cause of stupid dial up)